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Oxeye daisy, flowers galore

Oxeye daisies in a field with blue sky and clouds.
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Daisy is the name given to a host of varieties and so they come in different shapes and colors.

Key Daisy facts

NameLeucanthemum vulgare or Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
FamilyAsteraceae
Type – perennial

Height – 8 to 32 inches (20 to 80 cm)
Exposure – full sun
Soil – rich to ordinary

Flowering June to October

But the common daisy, or oxeye daisy, is a cute little herbaceous plant that is most often met in the wild.

How to plant a daisy

For plants purchased in nursery pots, best is to plant in spring, from April to June.

It is also possible to proceed to sow directly in the ground starting anytime in March and April.

  • One can propagate daisies through crown division in spring or fall.

Daisies loves virtually all types of soil, and flower most when in full sun.

Sowing daisies

Blossoms of the oxeye daisyFor the annuals that you’ll be growing from seed, sow directly in the plot starting in April, taking care to water regularly but not too much.

  • Thin down to one plant every 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) so that the remaining plants can grow better.

Caring for daisy

Remove wilted flowers as they appear, since this will enhance production of new flowers.

Water in case of prolonged dry spells and heat waves.

All there is to know about the daisy

Oxeye daisy flowerThis plant, which belongs to the Asteraceae family, offers typical cute flowers as it blooms.

It only calls for very little care (watering, cutting back once a year) and grows quite fast.

It is often encountered in flower beds or along edges, but it also finds itself perfectly paired with other flowers in garden boxes and bouquets.

A favorite among children is to gather daisies and tie the stems together to create beautiful wreaths to wear as a crown or bracelet. This was so common that in the early days of electronics, whenever identical components were connected in series, it was called a “daisy chain“.

Smart tips about daisy

Young, fresh daisy leaves can be added to your culinary preparations, especially to mixed salads.

Daisies are traditionally offered to best friends’ 5th wedding anniversary – do you know anyone celebrating this milestone today?


Image credits (edits Gaspard Lorthiois):
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0: Emm Nagase
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